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Exercise in Perimenopause to Improve Cognitive Health
Sponsor: University of British Columbia
Summary
Perimenopause is now considered a possible risk factor for dementia and may contribute to the fact that 2/3 of those living with Alzheimer's disease are females. Indeed, research studies show that middle-aged females demonstrate significant declines in their thinking abilities and detrimental changes in their brains as they go through perimenopause. Thus, perimenopausal females need strategies to bolster their brain health. The World Health Organization strongly recommends physical activity interventions to reduce the risk of decline in thinking abilities. However, whether exercise can improve thinking abilities and brain health in perimenopausal females has not been examined. Our research aims to address this important knowledge gap in female brain health. We will study the effects of a 6-month resistance exercise training (e.g., lifting free weights, exercise with weight machine) program on thinking abilities in 50 physically inactive perimenopausal females, aged 40 to 55 years, who are experiencing difficulties with their thinking abilities. In addition to measuring thinking abilities, we will determine if exercise benefits muscle health, heart health, sleep quality, psychological well-being, menopausal symptoms, and quality of life. We will also explore how resistance exercise training improves thinking abilities as such information can lead to new discoveries and therapies for brain health in females.
Official title: Resistance Training and Cognitive Health in Perimenopause
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
40 Years - 55 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
50
Start Date
2026-03-01
Completion Date
2027-01-30
Last Updated
2026-02-17
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Progressive Resistance Training
The sessions will occur in the Exercise Prescription Suite of the Centre for Aging SMART at VCH; this suite is a fully-equipped gym that includes treadmills, bikes, pneumatic resistance training equipment, and free weights. The training stimulus will initially be at 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions with proper form. At week 4, training intensity will progress from 60-82% of predicted 1 repetition maximum (RM) using the 8RM method. Every 4 weeks the 8RM test will be repeated.
Balance, Flexibility, and Tone Exercises
Each BAT session will be 1-hr in duration and consist of Pilates mat exercises, Yoga-based poses and breathing, Kegel exercises, stretches, and relaxation techniques (e.g., visualization).
Locations (1)
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada